Hijab according to Quran and Sunnah

I would like to review what Farida Majid had to say about the verse of Surah Ahzab: 59. She stated that this verse says that the headgear mentioned is only obligatory for the Prophet Mohammed's (SM) wives. Is she trying to say that the Prophet's teachings are different for the Prophet's wives and the rest of the Muslims? There are numerous Quranic verses and Hadiths clearly stating that the teachings of the Quran and the Hadith are universal and are meant for all Muslims to follow. And even if the verse does fall on the Prophet's wives, still there is no doubt that the behaviour and the rules followed by the Prophet's wives are the best examples for all female Muslims. Farida Majid also ignored the fact that aside from the Prophet's wives, all the female Sahabies also wore the headgear in order to cover their face and hair.

Aisha stated in the Bukhary Hadith (number: 8\4758-4759): "May Allah bless the believing women. When Allah the almighty commanded them to veil themselves all the female Sahabies immediately covered their faces."

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This Hadith clearly proves that the verse of Surah Ahzab: 59 was for all female Muslims. Aisha also appreciated all the female Sahabies for following the words of Allah the almighty. And it is clear that the believing women wore the Hijab by consulting the Prophet Mohammed (SM) since he was alive during that time. If the verse were for the Prophet's wives only, then the Prophet (SM) would have told them. And Allah has commanded His messenger in Surra Nahl: 44:

"I have sent my message to you so that you can describe it to them."

So it was not possible for the Sahabies to describe the Quran by themselves.

In both Bukhary and Muslim Hadith it is stated by Uqba Ibn Amir al Juhani (R) that the Messenger of Allah stated: "Beware, do not enter in the presence of a woman." Then an Ansary Sahaby asked "What about brothers-in-law?" The Prophet (SM) said, "They are certain death." This Hadith clearly proves that the Prophet Mohammed (SM) has forbidden men from entering into the presence of a woman or asking for something unless it is asked from behind a curtain. The Messenger of Allah has specifically warned Muslims about male relatives of the husband, such as his brother, uncle, cousins etc by saying that it is certain death, knowing that death is the most undesirable thing for any person.

Therefore, the following verse from Sura Azhab: 53: "Ask them from behind a curtain" is meant for all women because if it was meant for only the Prophet's wives, he would not have warned the men so strictly about approaching a woman.

Hajrat Abdulla Ibn Masud (R) stated that the Messenger of Allah once said, "When a Muslim women leaves her home, Satan gazes at her."(Sunane Tirmiji: 1173)

These are only a few Hadith and Quranic verses among many that proves the Hijab to be Wajib (mandatory). So the command to Muslim women for wearing the complete Hijab (To cover the whole body including the head) is proven by Al Quran and described in the Hadith. The Sahabies followed the Hijab to obey the commands of Allah.

The benefit of wearing the Hijab: (Nadratun Nayem- Vol. 4)

1) By wearing the Hijab, Muslim women follows the command of Allah the almighty.

2) Its acceptance purifies the hearts of Muslim men and women by turning their attention away from the physical appearance.

3) It protects Muslim women from being molested, raped, and harassed.

4) It increases the dignity and honour of the women among men.

5) It prevents Satan from looking at a women.

6) It represents the freedom of Muslim women in following the commands of Allah the almighty.

7) By following the Hijab, a Muslim woman follows the example of the Sahaby, who were the possessors of purified and humble personality.

8) It is a symbol of the Muslim Ummah and a sign of disobedience to the laws of the infidels.

9) Abiding by the Hijab, a Muslim woman shows respect to the commands and restrictions of the Allah the almighty.

Data collected from Arif Uddin Maruf, Khatib, Circuit House Jaam-e Moshjid.

Rana Iftekhar is a final year BBA student at Queen's University.